Dentist's!

[PurpleParis]

I have to go to the dentist's tomorrow as I need some work doin g on a tooth where there has been some crumbling. I went on Monday but have an infection so am taking antibiotics and going back tomorrow. The dentist originally discussed filling and then capping the tooth but the conversation changed toward to end of the consultation and I am worried that as I am unemployed the only choice I will get is an extraction. I cannot imagine having this tooth extracted as it is too big, it is the second from the back and would leave a huge gap. I am distraught and am wondering what I should do if she says she can't save it and it will have to come out. If I were a private patient would I get a different answer? Would she at all costs try and save my smile???

[stonekicker]

to be fair, i sympathise with your fear of the dentist. it took me 18 months to pluck up the courage to go and see mine when i broke a tooth towards the back of my mouth. i too dreaded the outcome and left it umtil i couldn't eat and stank because of the infection that set in. eventually, i ended up having the tooth out,but i have to say it was the best thing i could have done. i can eat whatever i want now and no longer have any problems with that area of my mouth. it didn't hurt anywhere near as much as i thought it would and my dentist was great. its not the end of the world losing a tooth (part of ageing, really!) and you may be protecting the surrounding oral area by doing so. go to a dentist you trust and i am sure they will advise you for the best and not diddle you out of treatment you are entitled to. good luck x

[PurpleParis]

Thank you Stonekicker for your kind words....I already have the tooth gone from next to this one, thats why I don't really want this one removed as the gap would be enormous and noticeable.
I have worked for 28 years, straight from school, always paid my National Insurance and taxes and then I was made redundant last September after 15 years service...it's made me feel like a second class citizen....the dentist adding to this as I can't afford a crown....still tomorrow's another day...i9t might not be as bad as I thought!

[ACtheTROLL]

they get payed whoever they see
if you warrant the work - they'll do it

if stone's tooth was in such a bad state - theyd have no alternative

it's noisy, smelly, but the only pain is the needle going in - a couple of seconds at most

how anyone can endure months or years of pain instead of the dentist I'll never understand

and the bottom line is - it's your gob ... just because they want to do something - you don't have to have it done ...

[alison123]

I have had a fear of the dentists for years and have to be sedated for my visits there. I am on the NHS list but i have in the past paid for a lot of private dentistry, ie pay the difference for white fillings as opposed to grey ones etc. I have found my dentist has been brilliant with regards to saving teeth etc, they dont like to take them out unless absolutely vital and the fact that you are unemployed really shouldnt come into it, they get paid either way. If you are really concerned id have a word and express that you really dont want to loose the tooth etc, they may be other things that can be done ie bridge work etc etc. Good look i do feel for you as there is nothing worse than a fear of the dentist
:-)

[scriptwriter]

I have had a tooth crumble as well - in fact there felt like there was hardly anything left there! Like you, thought the worst, but taking a tooth out is their last option.

They filled my tooth, and it was painless (good old cocaine injection), but even if you have to have more than a filling, ie root canal work, they will NOT take it out unless it is beyond help, and that's very rare...and they will give you as much pain relief as you ask for (I always ask them to make sure they numb it well).

If you're scared of the dentist (as many, many people are) tell the dentist and they will do everything to help, but please go if you need to. They will even numb your mouth for hygiene work (cleaning and scaling) if you ask them to.

Good luck.